I really understand how annoying tattling can be, however, I think all of the "stop tattling on your classmates" has created a generation of kids who stand by and do nothing when students are being bullied, beat up, teased, etc. We tell kids to mind your own business and then wonder how they can witness horrible actions and just stand there. I'd rather hear a few tattles and maybe teach students that it is imortant to make things right. Just my two cents worth.

We tell kids to mind your own business and then wonder how they can witness horrible actions and just stand there.

There's a difference between tattling and telling, in my opinion. Tattling is for the purpose of getting someone else "in trouble," and telling is for the purpose of getting someone (yourself or someone else) out of trouble.

I don't know that I'd put all the irrelevant questions on a tattling form, but making it long enough that they have to think about it does cut down on "tattling" while still allowing for "telling."

I like to create some guidelines so I can ask why the student is “tattling.” Then if the tattling is outside the guidelines, I can respond with the kind suggestion “just worry about yourself” when it gets unbearable.

But sometimes they need help figuring out how to handle something.

Sometimes they are just trying to get somebody in trouble. “Thank you for telling me. I will take care of it.”

Sometimes they are just trying to win my approval and favor. “Thank you for telling me.”

In addition to asking why, I will often ask the tattler what he or she has done about the situation.

It can be difficult to figure out, but the consequence should be determined by the intention. Otherwise we are in danger of punishing a plea for help.